How to Repair PVC Pipe Without Cutting

If properly glued, a PVC tube does not leak. But it can be damaged by a violent shock or burst because of frost. It is then necessary to replace the section or the damaged element: connection, siphon ...

This replacement is simple: it uses a new tube of the same diameter, cut to the length of the damaged section. The new one will be assembled using female-female couplings (sleeves) also PVC: threaded at its ends as well as at the end of the remaining parts of the pipe.

Note : the diameters of PVC tubes are standardized and always measured outside (32, 40, 50 mm ...). This is also the case for male connectors. The diameters of the female connectors are internal. Here is the method explained step by step to repair a leak on a PVC pipe.

​Repair step of a water leak

At first, you can limit or stop the leak by blocking it. Then, a real trouble-shooting will be necessary to seal definitely this leak of water. You will need to equip yourself with some type of equipment in order to be able to intervene on the water leak. You will need two-component sealant or self-amalgamating tape and a clamp.

In the case of damaged welding, a welding machine will be necessary. Depending on the origin of the leak, you may have to change the seal or completely replace a pipe section. Whatever the problem, follow the technique of repairing water leaks step by step.

1. Cut the water supply

In any case, the first thing to do is to cut the water supply of the circuit concerned or the general power supply of your house. To limit the damage, you need to wrap a rag around the area to seal the leak. You will then purge the pipes to evacuate the remaining water in the pipes by opening the taps. Once the water is completely out of the system, you can work quietly to repair your leak.

It is therefore necessary to begin this repair and sealing of a water leak by stopping the sanitary water supply circuit of the house. To find the stopcocks, simply analyze the plan of your home for example. You have the option of cutting only the shut-off valve supplying the damaged circuit.

2. Seal a water leak

While waiting for a more precise repair, you can make a clogging of the water leak. This method is simple and can last in time. However, it is not a definitive solution but simply a palliative care before applying the remedy that will definitively solve the leak. For this, you will need the previously mentioned tools including sealing plaster.

First, you will clean the section of the pipe where the leak is. It must be degreased and dusted with household cleaner and rag so that the clogging holds well. Let it dry, and then go to the next step. There, you will prepare your plaster according to the instructions of the manufacturer. Then you will apply it on the hole or crack. Let it dry for at least two hours or use a hair dryer to activate the drying time.

If you do not have a sealant at home. You can also stick tape around the hole or crack through which water escapes. You can also make a patch of fortune with a piece of plastic and a necklace to tighten. In this case, place the plastic on the hole and hold it with the clamp. For these last two solutions, you must respect the preliminary cleaning steps of the area to be sealed.

3. Seal a water leak at a fitting

A leak at a fitting is often caused by either a problem with the fitting or the seal. In the first case, a simple tightening of the ring is enough to stop the leak. In the second case, it is necessary to disassemble the connection in order to check the state of the joint. He may have shifted. Just replace it correctly. It is also possible that it is damaged. In this case, it must be changed.

However, you may not have a seal at hand at this time. You will therefore seal the leakage of the fitting while waiting for the seal in question. For that, you are going to need a bandage. And the best dressing you can use is the leak proof tape. Composed of fiberglass fabric impregnated with polyurethane resin, the tape is applied to any type of support and hardens by polymerization in contact with water. It applies as flat as rolled up.

To ask it, nothing more simple! Degrease the surface and allow drying. Then dip the strip 20 seconds into the water and wrap it or drop it on the area to be sealed by pulling slightly as if you were bandaging around the arm. Your leak is repaired.

4. Tighten a faulty fitting

If the water leak comes from a loose connection, simply tighten the connection. To do this, equip yourself with two adjustable keys.

Use the first wrench to secure the male fitting and keep the hose steady, and use the second to tighten the female ratio as much as possible.

The first key is essential because it prevents you from damaging or distorting your piping. Once the connection is tight, check if the hose is still leaking.

If the connection continues to leak, it is that its seal is no longer waterproof. Cut the water again, loosen the fitting and replace the gasket. The leak will be repaired!

5. Repair a pierced pipe

If the water leak comes from a pipe or pipe breakthrough, you will have to plug the leak.

Start by reading the instructions for your leak proof tape to find out the manufacturer's application tips.

To seal the leak, here's how:

1.Once the water is turned off, take the time to purge the circuit by turning the drain cock. Remember to position a bucket so as not to flood the room!

2.Then clean the drilled pipe with alcohol and a cloth. This makes it possible to degrease it and facilitates the attachment of the leak proof ribbon.

3.Your hose must be perfectly dry. You can use a hair dryer to evaporate the water. Just heat the hose for a few minutes without getting too close to the hair dryer. Apply a dry cloth beforehand to remove any moisture.

4.Once the hose is dry, you can apply the leak proof tape. Start by putting on your plastic gloves. Dip the leak proof tape in a bucket of water for about 20 seconds. Then place the tape around the pipe, to seal it better.

5.Allow the time to dry before relighting the water. If the water leak is still there after this operation, it's probably because you have not covered the entire hole. It is then necessary to restart the operation by checking that you apply the tape well on the origin of the leak.

Plumber's tips for clogging a leak

Do not have sealant or fireproof tape on hand?

If the clogging has to be done immediately and you do not have time to go to a large DIY area, there are other solutions of the system D to plug a pierced pipe:

Rubber hose

If you have a rubber hose on hand (for example, the old pipe of a gas cylinder), it can be used to seal the leak in the pipe.

For this you need:•A pair of scissors,•A piece of rubber hose,•A screwdriver,•A clamp.

Here's how to proceed:

1.Using a pair of scissors, cut the pipe to the right measurements. The piece of pipe should be long enough to cover the leak. Also make an opening in the direction of the length. It will allow you to position the pipe over your pipe.

2.Lay the piece of pipe against the leak. The uncut part must obviously be located in front of the hole through which the water flows. Hold the hose with one hand.3.Position a hose clamp directly on the hose.

4.Using a screwdriver, screw the hose clamp all the way around the rubber hose.If your piece of hose is tight and well placed, the leak should be sealed!

Plastic packaging

With the same method as for the rubber hose, it is possible to simply use a package of empty toothpaste or any other piece of soft plastic.

For this, cut the toothpaste packaging to the right measures (by removing of course the part with the cap!), and use it to seal the leak.

As before, use a hose clamp positioned over it so that the plastic can perfectly seal the leak.

Repairing a water leak

Note that clogging a leak is often a temporary solution. Unfortunately, makeshift repairs cannot take years.

Faced with a drilled pipe or damaged pipes, it may be necessary to replace part of your installation. For this, the best is to call a specialized plumber.

The interest in sealing a water leak is that you can delay the urgency of repairing a leak. Result: you are able to compare the plumbers' quotes, and can avoid plumbing repairs at the wrong prices.